Blue Jays Sizzle Behind Stewart

The Toronto Blue Jays are slugging their way toward the top of the American League East.

Shannon Stewart had three hits and a home run in his return from the disabled list, Carlos Delgado increased his major league-leading total to 80 runs batted in, and the Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 13-4, Monday night at Toronto.

Delgado tied the club record for most RBIs before the All-Star break. Joe Carter had 80 in 1994 and Delgado had 80 in 2000.

The Blue Jays have won six of seven to move to within one game of the New York Yankees in the AL East. Toronto was 11 1/2 games out of first place after a 10-18 start.

Stewart had sat out 20 games because of a sore right hamstring.

Left-hander Omar Daal (4-9) lost his fourth consecutive start, giving up 10 hits and nine runs -- eight earned -- in 2 1/3 innings.

Tampa Bay 4, New York 2 -- Damian Rolls homered twice against Roger Clemens (7-5) at St. Petersburg, Fla., and the Devil Rays ended a five-game losing streak.

Rolls’ three-run homer in the second inning was his first home run since Aug. 24, 2001, against the Chicago White Sox.

Boston 3, Detroit 1 -- Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield pitched six scoreless innings before leaving because of a back injury, and Kevin Millar homered and drove in two runs to help lift the Red Sox at home.

Wakefield (6-3) was listed as day to day after straining his lower back while running to cover first base in the fifth.

Oakland 3, Texas 1 -- Scott Hatteberg hit a three-run double in the ninth inning at Arlington, Texas, and the Athletics handed the Rangers their eighth consecutive loss.

The Rangers have dropped 20 of 22, their worst stretch since going 2-21 in September 1972. The A’s won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Oakland’s ninth-inning rally prevented Texas from beating starter Barry Zito for the first time in 15 tries.